Technical Abstract:
Unfortunately, the application of amylase (an enzyme) to break down long chains of unwanted starch in U.S. sugarcane factories is still not optimized because of misinformation about which enzyme to use, and how to add the enzyme. Two large factory trials were conducted at a Louisiana factory to optimize amylase application. Adding a working solution of high activity amylase to the next-to-the-last evaporator in the evaporation station, rather than the last evaporator was unequivocally shown to break down more starch. Final recommendations to factory staff are given.